“Oh… I shall go to them, then? Will you be coming too?” Professor Lowe asked.
“Actually, I’ll pass,” she replied—if she went, it would be no different from telling New Sun Pharma that she had a hand in this.
Still, worried that Professor Lowe would get hurt if he went alone, she said, “My bodyguard will be going with you. He’ll keep you safe.”
“Alright, thank you very much.” Professor Lowe replied.
With that, Abigail sent Eagle to escort Professor Lowe to New Sun Pharma, while she waited back at Hotmesh Research.
…
Eagle returned with Professor Lowe at seven, and Abigail asked, “How did it go?”
“It went smoothly…” Professor Lowe replied. “Though I must admit I was scared for a moment.”
“What?”
“Oh, you have no idea,” Professor Lowe said as he sat down. “The instant they heard that I was rejecting them and not to sign their agreement, their expressions darkened and they were all at my throat. I just gave it to them straight like you said, and told them I didn’t fear them. They asked if I’d stolen the photos, so I said I did, and that they were the ones who messed with me first and I was just maintaining my personal rights. They tried to get physical right then, but they didn’t reach me thanks to Eagle… that was when their boss got a call that they had internal issues and someone ratted them out, with the police getting involved. That meant they didn’t have time for me, so they allowed me to leave without issue… But honestly, that was close.”
Abigail smiled. “As long as you’re safe.”
“Were you the one who sent the police on them?” Professor Lowe asked.
Abigail did not tell him the truth. “It might be someone they offended before.”
Professor Lowe nodded, not appearing skeptical at all. “True. They’re so despicable they would definitely have made other enemies.”
Breathing a sigh of relief then, he exclaimed, “Let’s sign the agreement then!”
“Sure,” Abigail said, and she had Finn Crowe bring the agreement they drafted before.
Professor Lowe signed it without even reading, having grown to trust Abigail after what happened.
“I’ll come here tomorrow to start work.”
Abigail shook his hand. “Thanks for joining us.”
Professor Lowe nodded. “I certainly look forward to our success.”
Abigail said, “I’m sure it’s just a matter of time after you join us.”
“I’ll do my best. I won’t let you down—not after the lengths you went for me!” Professor Lowe declared earnestly.
Their research would develop quickly with Professor Lowe’s skills, and while things got busy for Abigail, she did not feel all tired, and everyone was motivated just like her.
…
James Cross arrived at Diarmuid’s office with a stack of documents, appearing hesitant to speak.
Diarmuid did not notice the look on his face and simply gestured for him to put it down. “You can go back to work now.”
James, however, stayed and asked tentatively, “Do you have a moment, sir?”
Diarmuid looked up. “You have something to ask?”
James nodded. “I need your permission.”
Diarmuid put aside the document he was holding and reclined against his chair. “Shoot.”
“Please take a look at this.” James said, and passed him a document.
Diarmuid was puzzled, since James was always candid at work.
What had gotten into him today?
James was certainly not acting normal, and Diarmuid flipped through the document he passed him while feeling puzzled.
It was a company dossier and he did not notice anything out of place.
“Can we build a partnership with them?” James asked just then.
Diarmuid frowned in confusion at James at that—it was a Minervan company, a manufacturer of cosmetic products.
What reason would they have to work with them? They were not involved in that field, and even if they intended expansion, it would definitely not be in this field.
James quickly explained, “I heard that Erin is working there. If we’re partners with that company, I have a reason to meet her.”
Diarmuid was speechless. Going through all that just to meet Erin Gooding?
“What if she resigns when she sees you?”
While James was left speechless, Diarmuid pressed on. “And if she gets a job in F&B after that, does that mean we have to expand into that business as well?”
James could not say anything to that.
Diarmuid got up and walked to his side, clapping him on the shoulder, and said, “Just go to her if you want to see her. There’s no need to make things complicated—just be direct.”
James would certainly like that, but he was just worried that Erin would refuse to see him.
Despite his disappointment, Diarmuid told him, “Are you really giving up even before you try?”
James thought about it and he had to agree.
Even if he did not want to meet Erin directly, he could just take a peek and make sure that she was fine. He would certainly be relieved that way, instead of having to worry all the time.
With that, he whipped out his phone and booked a plane ticket!
Once that was done, James asked, “Did Abigail agree to my suggestion last time?”
Diarmuid returned to his seat. “I haven’t discussed it with her.”
Abigail had been so busy lately she would always come home late, and he had yet to discuss it with her.
On the other hand, James actually thinks that Diarmuid would not hesitate if he believed that the plan was viable—dragging his feet was not his style.
“Do you have misgivings about the plan?”
Diarmuid tapped his fingers on his desk as he said, “It probably isn’t as simple as we’d think. You’re saying that we could draw out the mastermind if we isolate Abigail, but they did not leave any traces even after sending that gang after her. It’s clear that they were very prudent, and it’d be an obvious trap if we suddenly isolate Abigail. They won’t fall for it that easily.”
James had to agree. “But shouldn’t we do something, at least?”
Diarmuid actually had someone he suspected, but did not want to startle his quarry since he did not have any evidence. “There’s no rush.”
Harvey Gooding was not a concern, and with Stan Hill keeping an eye on him, he would never dare to get out of line, nor would he have the time or strength.
As for a person who knew him and wanted to hurt him through Abigail? It was not difficult to guess.
“Okay.” James had faith in Diarmuid’s judgment, and that he must have a plan if he was this calm.
He had no reason to worry as he traveled to Minerva now.
…
It was past 10 PM when Finn walked up to Abigail, asking, “Do you want supper?”
Their research was now at the practical phase, and they were testing it on animals.
Abigail was operating, having scrubbed up, and was holding a scalpel in hand. Putting it away, he proceeded to the stitching.
“What time is it?” she asked without looking up.
“Almost eleven,” Finn replied.
“I’ll pass. I will be heading home soon anyway.”
Someone must stay back to observe the vitals of the condition of the animal with the heart transplant.
Once the stitching was done, exhaustion started to hit her. “You can clean up the rest. I’ll be here early tomorrow.”
“Okay. You have nothing to worry about—just leave it to me,” Finn said.
Abigail took off her scrubs and had a drink.
She had been standing beside the surgical table for three hours and her limbs were sore.
After a short break, she left Hotmesh Research, with Eagle driving her home.
When she returned home and saw that Diarmuid had not returned, she actually heaved a sigh of relief— she was worried that he would complain about her coming home late.
She took a bath and quickly went to bed, falling asleep quickly since she was tired.
Still, she vaguely felt something pressing on her and she had trouble breathing!
“Ugh…”
Abigail tried to push the crushing weight on top of her, but she could not make it budge at all.
She opened her eyes and immediately picked up the faint scent of alcohol hitting her nose.
Frowning, she asked meekly, “Were you drinking?”
“Just a little,” he answered vaguely, nestling his head against her collarbone.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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